Lombard Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Experienced Attorneys for Injured Cyclists in Lombard, Illinois

Whether commuting to work, riding along the Illinois Prairie Path, exploring the Great Western Trail, or simply enjoying Lombard’s neighborhoods, bicycling has become an increasingly popular way to travel and recreate. Unfortunately, as more cyclists share the road with motor vehicles, serious bicycle accidents continue to occur throughout Lombard and DuPage County. Because bicyclists have little protection in a collision with a car, SUV, or commercial truck, even relatively low-speed crashes can result in catastrophic injuries.

At John J. Malm & Associates, we understand the devastating impact a bicycle accident can have on every aspect of your life. Medical bills quickly accumulate, injuries often require extensive rehabilitation, and many victims are unable to work for weeks or months. Our experienced Lombard bicycle accident lawyers have successfully represented injured cyclists throughout DuPage County, including securing a significant recent settlement for a bicyclist seriously injured in Lombard. If another person’s negligence caused your injuries, we are committed to helping you recover the compensation you deserve.

Bicycle Accidents in Lombard

Lombard is home to several popular cycling routes, including the Illinois Prairie Path and the Great Western Trail, which attract recreational riders, commuters, and families throughout the year. Cyclists also frequently travel along Main Street, St. Charles Road, Roosevelt Road, Butterfield Road, Finley Road, and other heavily traveled corridors to reach schools, parks, businesses, and neighborhoods.

Unfortunately, these same roadways also create significant hazards. Busy intersections, multiple commercial driveways, distracted drivers, and high traffic volumes increase the likelihood of serious collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles.

The Village of Lombard’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, using Illinois Department of Transportation crash data, identified 67 bicycle injury crashes and one bicyclist fatality between 2009 and 2013 within the Village. The plan also found that many crashes occurred near intersections involving Main Street, Roosevelt Road, and the Illinois Prairie Path, with failure-to-yield violations frequently contributing to collisions.

Illinois Bicycle Accident Statistics

Although bicycling continues to grow in popularity across Illinois, cyclists remain among the most vulnerable roadway users. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT):

• More than 3,000 bicycle crashes occur statewide each year.
• Dozens of bicyclists lose their lives annually in traffic collisions.
• Thousands more suffer injuries ranging from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage.
• Most bicycle crashes involving motor vehicles result in injury because cyclists have virtually no physical protection during an impact.

Many bicycle accidents occur because motorists simply fail to see cyclists until it is too late. Others happen when drivers violate Illinois traffic laws by failing to yield the right-of-way, making unsafe turns, opening vehicle doors into cyclists’ paths, or backing from driveways without first checking for approaching bicycles.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Lombard

While every crash is unique, our attorneys frequently see bicycle accidents caused by preventable driver negligence. Common causes include:

• Drivers failing to yield while turning left or right.
• Motorists backing out of residential or commercial driveways.
• Distracted driving involving cell phones or in-vehicle technology.
• Speeding through intersections.
• Unsafe lane changes.
• Opening parked vehicle doors into the path of a cyclist (“dooring”).
• Following cyclists too closely.
• Failure to obey stop signs or traffic signals.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Failure to watch for cyclists while entering or leaving parking lots.

Because bicycles are smaller than passenger vehicles, drivers must exercise additional caution whenever sharing the road with cyclists.

Our Recent Lombard Bicycle Accident Settlement Success

At John J. Malm & Associates, we are proud to have recently secured a $826,000 settlement for a bicyclist who was seriously injured in Lombard after a driver negligently backed out of a residential driveway directly into his path. The collision caused devastating cervical spine injuries that required a C1-C2 spinal fusion, permanently changing our client’s life.

One of the most important pieces of evidence in the case was a nearby doorbell camera, which captured the collision and clearly demonstrated the driver’s negligence. Combined with extensive medical documentation and thorough case preparation, this evidence helped us obtain a substantial recovery for our client despite initial resistance from the insurance company.

This case illustrates two important lessons. First, drivers must always check carefully before entering a roadway from a driveway or parking area. Second, preserving evidence immediately after a bicycle accident can dramatically strengthen an injury claim and improve the likelihood of obtaining full compensation.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Because bicyclists have little more than a helmet and protective clothing between themselves and the roadway, even a collision at relatively low speeds can cause devastating injuries. Unlike occupants of passenger vehicles, cyclists are often thrown from their bicycles or dragged across the pavement after impact.

Our bike accident attorneys have represented cyclists who have suffered injuries requiring months, or even years, of medical treatment and rehabilitation. Some victims are never able to return to the activities they once enjoyed.

Common injuries sustained in Lombard bicycle accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Concussions
• Skull fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Herniated discs
• Broken arms, wrists, and collarbones
• Pelvic fractures
• Leg and ankle fractures
• Road rash and severe abrasions
• Facial fractures
• Dental injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Psychological trauma, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

While helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries, they cannot prevent every injury. Cyclists may still suffer life-changing orthopedic injuries, spinal trauma, or internal injuries that require surgery and extensive rehabilitation.

Illinois Bicycle Laws Every Motorist Should Know

Illinois law recognizes bicycles as vehicles, meaning cyclists generally have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists when traveling on public roadways. Drivers have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care around bicyclists. Unfortunately, many collisions occur because motorists either fail to recognize these rights or become impatient when sharing the road.

Important Illinois bicycle safety rules include:

• Drivers must yield the right-of-way when required.
• Motorists should allow adequate space when passing a bicyclist.
• Drivers must check carefully before opening vehicle doors into traffic.
• Vehicles entering a roadway from a driveway or parking lot must yield to approaching traffic, including bicycles.
• Cyclists are generally required to obey traffic control devices, including stop signs and traffic signals.
• Bicyclists riding at night must use the lights and reflectors required by Illinois law.

Violations of these traffic laws often become important evidence in a personal injury claim following a bicycle accident.

Who May Be Liable for a Lombard Bicycle Accident?

Although the driver of a passenger vehicle is frequently responsible for a bicycle collision, liability is not always limited to one individual or company. Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include:

• A negligent driver
• A commercial trucking company
• A delivery company
• An employer whose employee caused the crash while working
• A rideshare driver
• A municipality responsible for maintaining dangerous road conditions
• A construction contractor that created an unsafe roadway
• A manufacturer of defective bicycle components or motor vehicle parts

Determining liability often requires a detailed investigation that includes reviewing police reports, photographs, surveillance footage, witness statements, medical records, and vehicle damage. In more complex cases, accident reconstruction experts may be retained to determine precisely how the collision occurred.

What Compensation Can Bike Accident Victims Recover?

A serious bicycle accident can affect nearly every part of a victim’s life. Beyond immediate medical expenses, injured cyclists often face ongoing treatment, lost income, and lasting physical limitations. If another party’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be entitled to recover compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Hospital bills
• Surgery and rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Prescription medications
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability
• Disfigurement
• Loss of normal life
• Property damage, including repair or replacement of your bicycle and equipment

In cases involving fatal bicycle accidents, surviving family members may also have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under Illinois law.

Insurance Companies Often Try to Blame Cyclists

One of the biggest challenges injured bicyclists face is dealing with insurance companies. Insurance adjusters frequently argue that the cyclist was somehow responsible for the collision by claiming the rider:

• Failed to keep a proper lookout
• Was riding too fast
• Was outside a designated bicycle lane
• Failed to obey a traffic control device
• Was difficult to see
• Suddenly entered traffic

Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means an injured bicyclist may still recover compensation even if they were partially at fault, provided they are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. However, any compensation awarded may be reduced by the cyclist’s percentage of fault. Because insurance companies often attempt to shift blame onto injured cyclists, having experienced legal representation can make a significant difference in the outcome of a claim.

Why Hiring an Experienced Lombard Bicycle Accident Lawyer Matters

Bicycle accident cases often involve issues that do not arise in ordinary motor vehicle collisions. Successfully proving liability may require obtaining surveillance video, preserving physical evidence, interviewing witnesses, reviewing police investigations, and consulting accident reconstruction experts.

At John J. Malm & Associates, we thoroughly investigate every bicycle accident case to identify all potentially liable parties and preserve the evidence needed to build a strong claim. We understand the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts, and we work aggressively to pursue the maximum compensation available under Illinois law.

Our experience handling bicycle accident claims throughout DuPage County allows us to anticipate legal challenges, evaluate complex medical evidence, and advocate effectively for injured cyclists and their families.

What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident in Lombard?

The moments following a bicycle accident can be overwhelming, but the steps you take can have a significant impact on both your health and your legal claim. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, it is important to remember that symptoms of traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and soft tissue injuries may not appear until hours or even days after the collision.

If you are physically able, consider taking the following steps after a bicycle accident:

• Call 911 immediately and request that law enforcement respond to the scene.
• Seek prompt medical treatment, even if you do not believe you are seriously injured.
• Photograph the accident scene, including the vehicles, bicycle, roadway, skid marks, traffic signs, and your injuries.
• Obtain the driver’s name, insurance information, and contact information.
• Speak with witnesses and collect their names and phone numbers.
• Preserve your bicycle, helmet, clothing, and any damaged equipment.
• Avoid discussing fault with the other driver or the insurance company.
• Follow all medical recommendations and attend follow-up appointments.
• Contact an experienced Lombard bicycle accident attorney before providing a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster.

Prompt action not only protects your health but also helps preserve valuable evidence that may otherwise disappear.

Evidence Can Make the Difference in Your Bicycle Accident Case

One of the most important aspects of any bicycle accident claim is preserving evidence before it is lost or destroyed. Surveillance footage may be overwritten, witnesses’ memories may fade, and physical evidence at the scene may disappear within hours. Our attorneys immediately begin investigating bicycle accident cases by gathering evidence such as:

• Police crash reports
• Photographs and videos from the accident scene
• Traffic camera or surveillance footage
• Doorbell camera recordings
• Witness statements
• Medical records
• Vehicle damage documentation
• Bicycle damage inspections
• Cell phone records, when appropriate
• Event data recorder (“black box”) information, if available
• Accident reconstruction analysis

As demonstrated by our recent $826,000 Lombard bicycle accident settlement, obtaining critical video evidence can significantly strengthen a case and help establish liability when insurance companies dispute responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lombard Bicycle Accidents

What is my bicycle accident case worth?

Every case is unique. The value of a claim depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost income, future treatment needs, permanent disability, pain and suffering, and the available insurance coverage.

Can I recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet?

Yes. Illinois generally does not require adults to wear bicycle helmets. Depending on the facts of your case, you may still recover compensation even if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Illinois?

In most cases, Illinois law allows injured victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, exceptions may apply, particularly if a governmental entity is involved. It is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

What if the driver says they never saw me?

Unfortunately, this is one of the most common explanations drivers give after striking a bicyclist. Failing to see a cyclist is not a legal defense if the driver failed to maintain a proper lookout or otherwise acted negligently.

What if the driver fled the scene?

If you are injured in a hit-and-run bicycle accident, you may still have options for compensation through uninsured motorist coverage or other available insurance policies. An attorney can help identify all potential sources of recovery.

Why should I hire John J. Malm & Associates?

Our firm has decades of experience representing injured victims throughout DuPage County and has successfully handled serious bicycle accident cases, including obtaining a recent $826,000 settlement for a bicyclist injured in Lombard. We understand the unique legal and medical issues involved in bicycle accident litigation and are committed to fighting for the full compensation our clients deserve.

Contact the Top Lombard Bike Accident Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

A bicycle accident can change your life in an instant. What begins as an enjoyable ride can quickly become a traumatic event resulting in serious injuries, mounting medical bills, lost wages, and an uncertain future. You should not have to bear those burdens alone when another person’s negligence caused your injuries.

At John J. Malm & Associates, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of injured bicyclists throughout Lombard, DuPage County, and the surrounding communities. Our attorneys have decades of experience handling complex personal injury claims, and our recent $826,000 Lombard bicycle accident settlement demonstrates our commitment to achieving meaningful results for injured clients. From investigating the crash and preserving critical evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and, when necessary, taking cases to trial, we are prepared to fight for the maximum compensation available under Illinois law.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident in Lombard, don’t wait to seek legal guidance. Contact John J. Malm & Associates today for a free consultation. We will review your case, answer your questions, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the justice and financial recovery you deserve.